Archive for Logan

Memphis fighter Bobby Bryant (10-0-0, 8 KOs) was scheduled to meet the tough Rahan Yusubov (11-3, 9 KOs) in main event this Saturday night June 4 at the Rayne Civic Center, Rayne, LA. Rather than facing Yusubov (11-3, 9 KOs), who withdrew from the fight due to an apparently hand injury, Byrant fought another area Memphis fighter in the tough journeyman, Marteze Logan.

Logan presented a great risk to the up-and-coming undefeated Bryant but after six, Byrant was ahead on the scorecards. Bryant would defeat the durable Logan by unanimous decision 60-54 | 60-54 | 59-55.

The DeSoto Civic Center played host to its first nationally televised boxing event with Showdown on Showtime, which featured rising stars and local favorites Fernando Guerrero , Shawn Porter and Lanard Lane taking on their toughest challenges to date against Ishe Smith, Ray and Mike Dallas Jr. on the televised card.

The main event of Showdown on Showtime would prove to be one of the two most entertaining fights of the entire card. Unfortunately, by the time middleweights Fernando Guerrero and Ishe Smith made their way to the ring for their 10 round NABF Middleweight Championship fight, more than half the crowd of 2,700 had already left DeSoto Civic Center, most likely due to the fact the main event begn around the eleventh hour.

The fans that remained were treated to a methodical and skillful performance from Guerrero (18-0, 15 KOs), who would start the fight slowly and gradually employ the power and speed he’s known for in Mississippi boxing circles. However, Smith (21-4, 9 KOs) would put forth his best effort and end up making the fight a lot closer than the end result would have the casual fan believe.

Both fighters started the 1st and 2nd rounds feeling each other out before Guerrero would open up his tool box in the 3rd. Smith would openly complain in the 3rd round about Guerrero throwing low blows, despite landing a few questionable shots himself.

However, Smith would open up his own array of skills in the later rounds, backing up Guerrero on occasion and landing a quick, flush jab that would knock Guerrero down, ever so briefly, but for the first time in his career to close the 8th round.

Smith would sense opportunities in the 9th and 10th round, arguably winning one, if not both rounds before losing a unanimous decision 96-93, 95-93, 97-91.

Welterweights Shawn Porter (15-0, 12 KOs) and Ray Robinson (11-1, 4 KOs) would be
responsible for the most entertaining fight of the night with both fighters trading hard, fierce shots in their 10 round bout.

Robinson, who easily a height advantage of at least six inches on Porter, couldn’t utilize that advantage to prevent Porter from constantly invading the inside and landing hard head and body combinations over the course of the first five and a half rounds, before knocking Robinson down in the 6th round. Robinson would beat referee Randy Phillips’ count and survive the round. He would then literally run during the entire 7th round to regain his wits.

Robinson would finish the fight with just enough activity to keep Porter honest, but the outcome of the fight was never in doubt. Porter would take a unanimous decision, 99-89, 97-92, 98-91.

Junior Welterweights Lanard Lane (12-0) and Mike Dallas Jr. would also go the distance in an 8 round match up that was short on action until the later rounds.

Dallas would do enough early to maintain a lead on the scorecards, which led Lane to turn up the heat in the final two rounds, but it would be too late, as Dallas would win a unanimous decision, 78-74 on all three judges’ scorecards.

Douglin would impress early, cutting off the ring and dominating the first two rounds, while the always-tough Logan would rely on his defense and chin before it became obvious Douglin was the more skilled fighter.

After opening the 3rd round with a right jab that sent Logan into the ropes, Douglin would move in to finish his opponent, but couldn’t pull it off. Logan would actually end the round with an impressive flurry that may have scored points, but didn’t hurt Douglin.

The next two rounds would feature Logan taunting Douglin by lowering his hands and
offering up his chin. He would also resort to turning his back on Douglin, which appeared to frustrate referee Randy Phillips. Early in the 5th round, Phillips stopped the fight, appearantly not seeing enough from Logan, and award Douglin a TKO within the first 46 seconds of
the round.

Junior Middleweight Bobby Bryant (4-0, 3 KOs) would continue his string of impressive performances against Andrew Hartley (2-16, 2KOs), who would have been better off anywhere but in the same ring as Bryant. Bryant, who always puts on a technical and powerful fight eliminated Hartley within the first 1:39 of the first round, knocking him down with a left hook before finishing Hartley by TKO in his own corner with a series of combinations that left his opponent seated on the ropes in the corner.

The evening’s next bout featured Memphis Jr. Welterweight Marlon Lewis (3-1) against John Willoughby (1-3, 1 KO) in a 4-round fight that would go the distance and provide the first surprise of the evening.

While Lewis has been able to pad his record with two unimpressive decisions against Chris Gray, Willoughby would not only prove to be a tough out, but would come alive in the final three rounds to dominate the soft-punching and poorly conditioned Lewis.

Willoughby would win over the crowd mid-way through the 3rd round by punishing Lewis against the ropes and almost knocking him down before the bell ended the round.

The 4th round would be more of the same, with Willoughby winning the round, despite wearing himself out. However, the judges had seen enough to award him a unanimous decision (37-39 on all three judges’ scorecards).

The remaining preliminary bouts would feature professional debuts from two heavyweights that showcased skills better fit for a tough man competition. Heavyweights Curtis Tate and Jonathan Perry needed little skill to score immediate knockouts of their opponents, Jason Harbin and Ozell Caldwell, respectively.

Brawler Dedrick Bell (1-2, 1 KO), would employ his wild tactics to dispatch Tim Reynolds (0-3) immediately in a bout that actually took less time than Bell’s entrance.

” Mighty” Mike Arnoutis was not so “mighty” on Friday evening at the Gold Coast in Las Vegas as he scored a controversial decision over veteran Marteze Logan.
This was to be a shining moment for jr welterweight Arnoutis after a 5 1/2 month layoff due to a back injury but somebody must have forgotten to inform Logan. The 40-fight veteran – who had gone the distance with several contenders but never pulled off the upset – came out swinging. Logan remained aggressive and busy while Arnaoutis did nothing in the early rounds.

Arnaoutis seemed to wake up in the fifth round as he landed some good combinations. Logan tagged Arnaoutis with a left hook midway into the round but he failed to followup and “Mighty” Mike came back scoring.

The southpaw Arnaoutis was able to land his straight left effectively in the sixth round, as Logan seemed to fatigue. Logan came back late in the seventh and finish the round looking the better of the two. The eighth thru the tenth round had very little action from either fighter. Logan was exhausted and Arnaoutis was almost motionless.
It was a hard fight to score due to the lack of action but the vast majority of ringside observers – and the crowd – felt that Logan won due to his overall aggressiveness and willingness to fight. Arnaoutis was dull in his performance and boring to fans.

When the final bell rang the crowd was more than happy to see the conclusion but their moods immediately swung in the opposite direction when the scores were revealed. The audience booed loudly as the scores of 100-90 twice and 98-92 “all for ‘Mighty’ Mike Arnoutis” were announced.

Arnaoutis improves to 14 wins and 2 draws with 6 knockouts while a frustrated and angry Marteze Logan drops to 20 wins and 2 draws against 18 losses with 5 knockouts.
To say the Arnaoutis vs. Logan was a lackluster fight would be an understatement, but fortunately the last fight of the evening was the EXACT opposite of the main event.

Tough firefighter Antonio Wong from Tijuana, Mexico battled Alejandro Pena of Los Mochis, Sin, Mexico in an explosive lightweight matchup that was worth the price of admission by itself.

Both combatants came out and exchanged punches at a strong pace in the opening round.

They continued this pattern round after round as each fighter sought to punch a hole through his opponent. When one started to fire, the other retaliated. Wong (11-5 -17 KOs) won a split decision against Pena (12-8-0 8 KOs) in a fight that demands a rematch.

Also in action, hard-hitting Noe Bolanos came out firing some good body shots against opponent Juan Galvez in a featherweight contest scheduled for six rounds. Rib shot after rib shot took their toll on Galvez. Bolanos (8-0, 6 KOs) finished up in impressive fashion with a left-right combo that turfed Galvez (3-5) for the KO at the 2:26 mark of the 3rd round.

Super featherweight Dominic Coca (4-0, 1 KO) won a unanimous decision over Anthony Delgado (3-4-2) in an exciting fight. A combination of too much offense and a good footwork gave Coca the decision. All scorecards read 40-36.

Super featherweight Juan Garcia (6-0, 2 KOs) and Rodrigo Aranda (7-6-2, 2 KOs) both displayed excellent boxing skills but it the lethal jab attack of Garcia plus his combination punching that gave him the decision in a very entertaining bout.

Russian George Bjainia (3-0) won a workmanlike decision against Francisco Rios (2-2, 2 KOs) in a super lightweight bout.

Last night local Memphis fighter Donnell Logan (8-5-1, 4 KOs) took on rising junior welterweight Edgar Santana at the Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom in New York City. Santana (15-2, 10 KOs) put Logan on the seat of his pants twice in round two on his way to a second round TKO.

Tunica, MS – Prize Fight and Fitzgeralds Casino announce “Fist of Fire”, an exciting nine bout professional boxing card to be held on January 22, 2005. The main event of the evening will feature two highly touted and hard-hitting Jr. lightweights in a 12-round Feature Bout for the NABO Jr. Lightweight Championship. This bout will consist of top prospect and USBA Regional Champion, Antonio Davis 15-1, (7ko’s) from Atlanta, GA against Donnell Logan 9-1-1 (7ko’s) from Memphis, TN. During his successful boxing career, Antonio Davis has taken the mid-south by storm as he has been featured numerous times as the Undercard fighter for Prizefight Boxing. In Antonio Davis’s last fight, he was featured on the undercard of the Ann Wolfe fight and profoundly left with a victory. Conversely, Donnell Logan is a great fighter who possesses a quick right hand and has succeeded nine of his eleven battles.

There will be an additional 8 exciting Bouts proceeding the Main Event including the mid south’s best pound-for-pound female fighter, Christy Nickel from Southaven, MS against Miriam Brakache from Atlanta, GA. Christy Nickel has only lost one fight in her boxing career, and unfortunately it was to her opponent Brakache. Nickel is definitely seeking revenge from a fight that she feels she should have won. In her short but successful career, Nickel has improved to a 6-1 (4ko’s) record and is coming off an impressive win that was also held at Fitzgeralds. Conversely, top challenger Miriam Brakache 2-1 (2ko’s) of Atlanta, GA has earned another opportunity to fight Nickel and is definitely looking forward to another defeat against Nickel.

The Undercard will consist of #1 ranked contender Ray Lunsford 17-4 (4ko’s) of Tunica, MS as well as fellow Heavyweight fighter Frank Wood 23-3 (16ko’s) from Nashville, TN. Also, included on the card will be four fighters who were 2004 Olympic Trials finalist. These fighters include; Anthony Peterson 1-0 (1ko) from Washington D.C., LaMont Peterson 1-0 (1ko) also from Washington D.C., Rayonta Whitfield (2-0) from Augusta, GA and Heavyweight sensation Charles Ellis 1-0 (1ko) from Wichita, Kansas. In addition, Tyrone Muex 14-8 (8ko’s) of Covington, TN and Danny Wofford of Jacksonville, FL will both be in an exciting bout.

Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. with the first fight scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ringside seats are priced at $30 with reserved seats being $25. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Fitzgeralds Casino gift shop located on the first floor of the Hotel.

Boxing at the New Daisy was light last night in two respects. A smaller than average crowd showed up for a short list of fights. For those who got out in spite of the rain and who managed to pull themselves away from the lure of the presidential election Boxing on Beale put on 4 fights. Three 4 rounders and a 10 round main event.

In the 10 RD Middleweight main event, Walter Gilliam (157lbs.) took on Greg Dickson (160lbs.). Gilliam attacked early, doubling amd tripling up on his right hooks that set the stage for straight rights to the head of Dickson. On several occasions Gilliam cornered or caught Dickson against the ropes and really worked him over. Dickson took a pounding but seemed to be at his best when his back is to the ropes. Durnig the bout Dickson countered well with straight rights and hooks. Dickson appeared slow at times and reluctant to throw his jab, the one punch that Gilliam wasn’t defending. Although it was slow it landed. Dickson also faught this entire fight pretty much on flat feet that didn’t move a lot which allowed Gilliam to tee-off often. Every round began and ended with Dickson beating Gilliam to the first couple of punches then for the most part of the round Gilliam stuck it to Dickson. Amazingly, Dickson preservered the beating that he was receiving and actually hurt Gilliam (Gilliam grimaces after the shot) with a left hook to the body in RD 9. But its too little to late for Dickson. Round 10 ends with a spectacular flurry from both fighters and Dickson fighting with his back to the ropes. Dickson took a lot of punishment on the ropes but showed a big heart and a strong chin. Gilliam defeats Dickson, unanimous decision.

Logan Decisions Journeyman Yarbrough! (11/3/04)

The first fight of the evening featured journeyman fighter Lester Yarbrough paired against Martez “Too Sweet” Logan in a 4 RD Middleweight bout. The fight began with Logan overpowering and out punching Yarbrough. Every shot Logan threw was quick, accurate and deliberate. “Too Sweet” continued to go to Yarbrough’s body with combos that opened up Yarbrough’s guard and Logan landed clean shots to his head. Throughout the fight Logan stalked the slow, pawing Yarbrough. Yarbrough got in a few clean thumbing shots of his own like one in RD 3 when he caught Logan in the body with a chopping right hook to the body. But for the most part Lester endured a punishing from Logan. Logan wins the 4 rounder by unanimous decision.

One comment on Logan is that in this fight he stayed within himself and didn’t try and get Yarbrough out of there as quickly as possible. He took his time and fought his fight.

Heavyweights Collide in Pro Debuts!

In other New Daisy action new comers Courtney Johnson and Mike Posey debuted in a heavyweight clash. Johnson tipped the scales at 255lbs and his opponent Posey weighed in at 240lbs. Wild but exciting. This grappling battle started with both fighters looking awkward but determined as they threw punches with everything they had. During the first round the crowd loved it as the pair took turns tossing and throwing each other to the canvas (none ruled knockdowns). In the second stanza Johnson was very active and charged and chased Posey around the ring. Posey was hit with a few shots but none that hurt him. Likewise, Johnson took some punches that leave him bleeding from the mouth but none that look to have taken a toll on him. What did take a toll on Johnson was his conditioning. He took a knee, out of sheer exhaustion, abd made it up on the count of 8. Posey and Johnson then exchange a few shots and Johnson took another knee. This time Allen Luvell calls the fight on account hat Johnson can not continue after making the count. Posey wins his First by 2 RD KO.

Bunting Kayos Anthony in 1!

Fight three of the evening featured Cruiserweight Lafarrel Bunting (188lbs.) who gave up 60+ plus pounds to Richard Anthony (249lbs.) Shortly after the bell for round one Bunting goes to work on the large but slow Anthony. Anthony is throwing punches but they are wild and not many land. Bunting is just the opposite, not throwing many but when he does it lands with a thud. Bunting, catches Anthony with a quick left hook to the body and Anthony drops to a knee. After the count Anthony continues to fight and Lafarrel closes in again and drops the wounded Anthony to a knee with another well placed body shot. Anthony makes the count but wants no more. Bunting wins by TKO RD 1.

According to the Judges’ score cards (80-71 | 79-72 | 78-73), Logan (Covington, TN) managed to steal a few rounds from Gogoladze (Philadelphia, PA), but in the end the decision was unanimous for Gogoladze who improves to 16-0.